Should Men Get a Bone Density Test? What the Guidelines Say

Updated November 9, 2026 · By the DEXASCAN.COM Team

Key takeaways

• Osteoporosis is not just a women's disease: about two million American men already have it, and about 12 million more are at risk (BHOF).
• A July 2026 study in Bone found osteoporosis screening was nearly 100-fold lower in at-risk men than in women.
• Men 70+ and men 50 to 69 with risk factors are the groups the Endocrine Society says should get a DEXA exam.
• A DEXA scan takes about 10 minutes and also shows body fat, muscle by region and visceral fat.
• DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR testing start at $89 on DEXASCAN.COM.

November is when a lot of men grow a mustache for men's health awareness. It is also a good month to ask a question most men never think about: how strong are my bones? Bone loss is silent. There is no pain and no warning sign until something breaks. And as a new 2026 study shows, men are far less likely than women to ever be checked.

Do men need a bone density test?

Many men do, especially after 50 or with risk factors. Men lose bone more slowly and later than women, but the consequences of a fracture are often worse.

Here is what the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) reports about men:

• Up to one in four men over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
• Men older than 50 are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than to get prostate cancer.
• About 80,000 men break a hip each year.
• Men are more likely than women to die within a year after breaking a hip, due to problems related to the break.

Osteoporosis means bones have lost enough mineral density and structure that they break more easily. Bone mineral density (BMD) is the measurement a DEXA scan uses to estimate that strength. If you want the numbers explained, our guide to bone mineral density and T-scores for adults over 40 walks through each one.

Why are men rarely screened for osteoporosis?

Mostly because screening guidelines focus on women, and men's risk gets overlooked in routine care.

A study published July 23, 2026 in the journal Bone by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School looked at U.S. primary care visits from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (2012 to 2019). According to the Hebrew SeniorLife summary, the team concluded that DXA screening is infrequent among adults guidelines suggest should be screened, and that osteoporosis screening was nearly 100-fold lower in at-risk men than in women. The same summary notes men account for about 39% of all osteoporotic fractures.

Part of the gap is the guidelines themselves. In its January 2025 update, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening women 65 and older and younger postmenopausal women with risk factors (a B grade). For men, it found the evidence "insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms" and told clinicians to use their clinical judgment. That is not a recommendation against screening men. It means the decision is left to you and your provider.

The gap shows up even after a fracture. A 2014 study in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery of adults over 50 with a broken wrist found that only 18% of men received an osteoporosis assessment afterward, compared with 53% of women.

What are the risk factors for osteoporosis in men?

Age is the biggest one, but lifestyle, hormones and medications matter too. BHOF lists these risk factors for men:

• Family history of osteoporosis
• Taking steroid medicines
• Not exercising
• Smoking or drinking too much alcohol
• Low testosterone (and, evidence suggests, low estrogen levels in men)
• Chronic kidney, lung or gastrointestinal disease, prostate cancer, and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

Rapid weight loss is also worth a conversation. If you are on a GLP-1 medication, see what current research says in does Ozempic cause bone loss? And if you are considering or using testosterone therapy, our post on why a DEXA scan belongs at the start of any TRT or GLP-1 plan explains how baseline numbers help.

What does a DEXA scan show besides bone density?

A whole-body DEXA scan shows far more than bones. DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) uses two low-dose X-ray beams to separate your body into bone, fat and lean tissue. In about 10 minutes, you get:

• Body fat percentage, overall and by region
• Lean muscle by region (arms, legs, trunk), including ALMI (appendicular lean mass index, a measure of the muscle in your arms and legs relative to height)
• Visceral fat, the deep belly fat around your organs
• Bone mineral density

For men, muscle and bone go together. Muscle loss starts earlier than most people expect (see at what age do you start losing muscle?), and weaker muscles raise fall risk. One important note: a whole-body body composition scan reports total-body bone density, while osteoporosis is formally diagnosed from a hip and spine scan. Learn the difference in does a DEXA body composition scan check bone density? and on our bone density page.

What should men do next?

1. Know your risk factors. Go through the list above and bring it to your next checkup.
2. Ask your provider about a bone density test if you are 70+, or 50 to 69 with a risk factor, or have broken a bone as an adult.
3. Lift weights and stay active. Not exercising is a listed risk factor, and strength training supports muscle as you age.
4. Cut back on smoking and heavy drinking, both of which BHOF links to higher risk.
5. Get a baseline DEXA scan so you know your bone, muscle and fat numbers, then rescan every 8 to 12 weeks at the same location to track body composition changes. Bone density itself changes slowly, so your provider may suggest a longer interval for bone-specific follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should a man get a bone density test?

The Endocrine Society's 2012 guideline recommends a DEXA bone density exam for men 70 and older, and for men 50 to 69 who have risk factors. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation lists risk factors such as low testosterone, steroid medicines, smoking and heavy drinking. The USPSTF says there is not yet enough evidence to recommend routine screening for all men, so ask your provider what fits your situation.

How much does a bone density or DEXA scan cost?

Prices vary by provider and by what is included in the scan. On DEXASCAN.COM, DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR testing start at $89, and every price is shown upfront before you buy. Diagnostic bone density tests ordered by a doctor may be billed to insurance, so check your plan.

Is a DEXA scan safe for men?

DEXA uses a very low dose of X-ray energy, and the scan itself is painless and takes about 10 minutes. You lie still on a padded table while the arm passes over you. If you have specific medical concerns, mention them to the provider before your scan.

Does a DEXA body composition scan show osteoporosis?

A whole-body DEXA body composition scan reports total-body bone mineral density along with fat and muscle, which is a useful snapshot. Osteoporosis is formally diagnosed from a hip and spine bone density scan, so if your numbers look low or you have risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider about a diagnostic test.

How often should men repeat a DEXA scan?

For tracking fat and muscle changes, most people rescan every 8 to 12 weeks at the same location. For bone density, changes are slower; the Endocrine Society guideline suggests every one to two years for men being monitored. Your provider can tell you what interval makes sense for you.

Related reading

• What do T-scores and Z-scores mean?
• 5 things you can do right now to prevent osteoporosis
• Is a DEXA scan covered by insurance? Bone density vs. body composition

Find a DEXA scan near you

DEXASCAN.COM validates its providers, shows prices upfront, and lets you buy online and get booking instructions within minutes. DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR testing start at $89, so you can see your bone, muscle and fat numbers in one visit.

Find a DEXA scan near you →

Sources: Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, "Just for Men"; Hebrew SeniorLife, "Osteoporosis Screening Remains Markedly Low Among At-Risk Men" (study in Bone, July 2026); USPSTF, Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening (January 2025); AuntMinnie, "Endocrine Society advises DEXA for at-risk men" (2012 guideline); AAOS release on the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery study (2014).

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication, diet or exercise program.